[SDCBC] 60mph in the Bike Lane?

[Darryl MacKenzie]

Also see front page (A1) of this morning's UT.  

 

Darryl MacKenzie

 <mailto:DarrylMacKenzie at Cox.Net> DarrylMacKenzie at Cox.Net

(619) 303-7316 

 

  _____  

From: sdcbc-bounces at bikesandiego.org [mailto:sdcbc-bounces at bikesandiego.org]
On Behalf Of JonIsaacs at aol.com
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 5:49 AM
To: tlettington at san.rr.com; sdcbc at bikesandiego.org
Subject: Re: [SDCBC] 60mph in the Bike Lane?

 

In a message dated 8/16/07 6:55:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
tlettington at san.rr.com writes:




Tonight on Channel 10 News, a man was interviewed who is the first to 
own a new all-electric scooter (read as motorcycle) that is freeway 
legal and can reach a top speed of 60 mph.  He claims in the 
interview that he is legally allowed to operate his vehicle Bike Lanes.

Could this possibly be true?  The implications are astounding!!

More research is required.

   - Tom


------

Definitely not true:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21209.htm

"21209.  (a)  No person shall drive a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane
established on a roadway pursuant to Section 21207 except as follows:  
    (1) To park where parking is permitted.     
    (2) To enter or leave the roadway.  
    (3) To prepare for a turn within a  distance of 200 feet from the
intersection.                                      

        ( b) This section does not prohibit the use of a motorized bicycle
in a bicycle lane, pursuant to Section 21207.5, at a speed no greater than
is reasonable                           or prudent, having due regard for
visibility, traffic conditions, and the condition of the roadway surface of
the bicycle lane, and in a manner which does not
endanger the safety of bicyclists. "

This is the definition of a motorized bicycle:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc406.htm

"b) A "motorized bicycle" is also a  device that has fully operative pedals
for propulsion by human power and has an electric motor that meets
all of the following requirements: 

(1) Has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts.

(2) Is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles
per hour on                           ground level.                        
3) Is incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human
power is used to propel the motorized bicycle faster than 20 miles per
hour."

-----

Clearly a vehicle capable of 60mph is not a motorized bicycle and therefore
it is illegal to operate in the bike lanes. 

It appears that mopeds and other underpowered two wheeled vehicles are not
permitted in the bike lane, only motorized bicycles, at least that is what
the DMV is saying.  I was under the impression that they were legal.

Jon














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